A superb display from the India Under-19 bowlers helped their side to a 182-run victory against Sri Lanka U-19 in the first Test at the Colts Cricket Club ground in Colombo.
Chasing 278 to win, the Sri Lankans were bowled out for 95, thanks chiefly to spinners Shiv Prakash and Ravindra Jadeja, who shared seven wickets between them. With the target out of reach, Sri Lanka had to play out time to salvage a draw but lost their last five wickets for eight runs in 74 deliveries. Jadeja was particularly impressive, conceding a mere five runs off his 13 overs and picking up four wickets. Mathurage Perera was the Sri Lankan top-scorer for the second time in the match, following up his first-innings 74 with 23 in the second, but apart from Lahiru Weragala, who also made 23, and Dinesh Lokuge, none of the other batsmen reached 20.
The Indians started the day with a lead of 136 and added 141 more before declaring their second innings at 223 for 7. Overnight batsmen Abhinav Mukund and Tanmay Srivastava completed their half-centuries, while Saurav Tiwary blitzed 43 off 23 balls to ensure that the Indians bowlers had enough time to bowl Sri Lanka out in the second innings. Tissara Perera was Sri Lanka's bowling star, snaring four wickets at an economy rate of less than three, but he got little support from the rest.
The Indians complete their tour of Sri Lanka with the second three-day Test starting at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy on Thursday.